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Human Rights

A few weeks ago, President Trump decided to reinstate a ban on transgender people serving in the military. It was a blow to transgender rights, which had been creeping along in a positive direction in the US. You can read more about the details here.
The first thing that comes to mind is how some … [Continue reading] Human Rights – Who Has Them, and Who Doesn’t

This Wednesday April 12th is Day of Pink – the international day against bullying, discrimination, homophobia, transphobia and transmysogyny.
An act of support
It didn’t start out meaning to be a day recognized around the world; it started as an act meant to support one person. Jadrien Cota – … [Continue reading] Day of Pink – April 12

Well. I’ve finally seen the Pepsi commercial.
So many things wrong with it, and so many things to say.
But first, one or two positives (yes, I found some):
There is cultural diversity. Lots of it. And we see some people in roles we may not usually – a cellist of colour, a photographer who … [Continue reading] Kendall Jenner Pepsi Commercial

Last Friday morning, my world felt different. I had watched Desmond Cole’s documentary The Skin We’re In on CBC the night before (if you missed it, you can watch it here).
The Skin We're In - a brief overview
The Skin We’re In was insightful, personal and thought-provoking.
I appreciated … [Continue reading] Anti-Black Racism in Canada

Many of you are likely familiar with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s quote: “There comes a time when silence becomes betrayal.”
I would argue that time has nothing to do with it. Silence equals betrayal anytime – whether we realize it or not, whether we are alone or in a group – because it equals … [Continue reading] Silence = Complicity

Women's Marches
This past weekend, thousands of women around the world took to the streets to show their protest against the new President of the USA, their commitment to each other, and their solidarity towards the other groups also targeted by him during his campaign.
It gave me pause to … [Continue reading] Marching for Change

Last week I was part of many conversations about race and racism – in organizations, with the people in my life, in the community.
Race and racism are tricky to talk about. People feel cautious - even afraid – to say the wrong thing, or to be perceived as ignorant (or worse, as racist). The trouble … [Continue reading] Talking about Race & Racism

Black Lives Matter Toronto halted to Pride Parade on Sunday to make some demands of Pride Toronto.
It’s not the first and won’t be the last of their bold activism. And, as Naila Keleta-Mae writes in her Globe and Mail article, the point is that they make people uncomfortable.
Here’s my perspective … [Continue reading] Black Lives Matter = Opportunity for Growth

It’s been just over 2 weeks since the mass shooting at PULSE nightclub in Orlando, Florida where 49 people were killed. As a member of the LGBTQ communities, and as a Diversity and Inclusion speaker, facilitator, and consultant (specializing in LGBT Inclusion) it has given me pause on many fronts. … [Continue reading] Food for Thought about Orlando